SURRENDER AND ACCEPTANCE WITH GRATITUDE, LOVE AND JOY

STILL IN RETREAT MODE

Still in retreat mode, (not hermit, at least not yet), recharging my batteries, relaxing into each day as it comes, accepting all that is sent my way with love, joy and gratitude.  No “must do”, “should do”, “have to do”. Not planning, not expecting, not resisting – finding the quiet in each situation, removing myself from venues or people with loud or toxic energies.

MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT WAS CLOSED…FOUND THIS NEW ONE “BY CHANCE” AND WAS BLESSED WITH THIS WONDERFUL WITH MY MEAL. SURRENDER AND ACCEPTANCE WITH GRATITUDE, LOVE AND JOY

AND FEELING GREAT! Whatever the reason is for my lowered energy levels, it is a blessing.  Lovely, calming people have begun to find their way to me, probably feeling kindred energies of tranquility.  And the “alone time” is wonderful for body and soul.

DAWNING OF A NEW DAY

SURRENDER AND ACCEPTANCE WITH GRATITUDE, LOVE AND JOY

KIDS AT RAMANA’S ORPHANAGE WHERE YOU CAN GET SUPERB ORGANIC MEALS AT THEIR RESTAURANT AND ALL THE PROCEEDS GO TO THEKIDS

I AM TRULY BLESSED, LOVED AND REMAIN GRATEFUL FOR ALL

with love light and JOY

namaste

Jane

A DIFFERENT KIND OF JOURNEY 0CT 25, 2015

A DIFFERENT KIND OF JOURNEY

VIEW FROM MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT…GREAT VEGAN OPTIONS AND SMOOTHIES IN ADDITION TO THE VIEW TO KILL FOR 60’S CAFE

I’ve now been in Rishikesh for a full month. And this has been a very different kind of journey for me. Most of this past month I’ve been blessed with lots of work…which is wonderful in lots of ways because besides bringing in some money, it also gives me many opportunities to be of service. But even without “proper” work, I am sent many opportunities to be of service, so neither is the real reason for my having wanted work. I simply enjoy what I do, and couldn’t imagine being without it…especially after the past months at home where I also had more work than I have for several years.
However, without realizing it, I allowed the pleasures of work to actually “rob” me of the pleasures of India. And of course, it wasn’t until I began feeling it physically, that I took notice of what was happening.
I now sit on my rooftop, on my lovely new sofa, relaxing with nothing to do but BE…listening to Chava Alberstein, one of my favorite Israeli singers, manicuring my nails, and jut appreciating all the blessings I have…just being able to BE here being the main one. I must make the most of this time for my Higher Good….

Deep down I knew a full week ago that I had to cut back, and begin allowing myself to immerse myself completely in the magic that this place is, and the reason I come here. I had already decided that this coming week I begin my “retreat” mode, and if not that, at least vacation mode.

Just to make sure I took my inner “knowing” seriously, I also received a very powerful card reading with this message repeated several times, and a quick consult with Dr. Arora, had him point a real “nu, nu, nu” finger at me for allowing myself to get so run down after arriving here in such superb health and energy.
So….yesterday I began, and today I continue…very low energy, but will do lots of resting, slow walking, and anything else which strikes my fancy, to pamper myself…including the snack I just had.

I made it through a month, but finally gave in to the pleasure of hot chocolate and cinnamon roll. Decadent but oh so delicious…and I enjoyed every sip and bite…am still enjoying it.
So, what I think will be happening now, is I will try and continue to upload photos as much as possible, as I have not stopped photographing all the amazing sights, views, colors etc., around me…but don’t think I will be doing much writing…at least not at the moment.

Enjoy the photos…imagine the stories behind them, and perhaps one day I will fill in the missing details.

MY TRANSPORTATION TO A RECENT WEDDING

With love light and JOY
Namaste
Jane

INDIAN WEDDING AND MEHANDI (HENNA) CELEBRATIONS OCT 13-14 2015 RISHIKESH

INDIAN WEDDING AND MEHANDI (HENNA) CELEBRATIONS-OCT 13-14 2015 RISHIKESH

HAPPY COUPLE

PROUD FATHER

BEAMING MOM

HAPPY PARENTS

These are just a very few of the many photos I shot at this joyous Indian wedding celebration and the Mehandi (henna) the day before, for Manish, the youngest son of my dear friends Dr. Arora and his lovely wife Manju. Hope this gives you some idea of the scope, energy, joy and amazing colors…(see link below for full album)

COLORS COLORS COLORS

This was an amazing two day celebration and and the photos don’t do justice the the joy and great celebration that is an Indian wedding.  I have a few videos and have also posted links below to give you a little more feel for what was going on… The thing that most stands out, in my mind, are the colors!  Please open the link below to see the amazing array of colors, and energy, which is an Indian family celebration.  The Mehandi (henna), day before the marriage ceremony, was particularly lovely and I was privileged to be an invited guest to the intimate family celebration at the home of the groom’s parents.  I was lovingly accepted and joined in all the fun, including having my hands hennad and dancing.

HENNA BEING APPLIED

HENNA BEING APPLIED TO MY HAND

FINISHED HAND

FINISHED HAND

FINAL RESULTS THE FOLLOWING MORNING

But there was no place for me in the beautiful, traditional Punjabi dances the women did.  Dressed in traditional Punjabi clothing and jewelry, with their hair done up with braided extensions ending in feathers…the photos truly don’t do justice.

TRADITIONAL PUNJABI DANCING

TRADITIONAL PUNJABI DANCING

Thought to give you  some of idea of how an Indian wedding works…food is available the entire time, no sit down dinner…people eat when they want, dance when they want, everyone goes to sit with the bride and groom on the dais to have their photos taken, others sit in the arranged seating to just watch…it is really lovely.  And goes on until about 5 in the morning when the final puja is celebrated.  I did not stay for the actually ceremony…I had a ride and was actually relieved to be able to go home early….at midnight!!!!!

TRICK TO GETTING THROUGH AN INDIAN WEDDING FROM START TO FINISH

TRICK TO GETTING THROUGH AN INDIAN WEDDING FROM START TO FINISH

Sorry about the video below, but I held the camera sideways to get a wider angle, but do not know how to rotate the video now.

I truly feel blessed to have been included in these celebrations and feel very fortunate and most grateful.

Hope you enjoy these few photos and get some idea of the scope, energy, joy and amazing colors, and that the links work wel

1. Link to indian wedding photo album

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153254194751545.1073741890.547896544&type=1&l=34192e68fa

2. Quick Video View of Wedding celebration

https://www.facebook.com/LADYJANE62/videos/10153252458946545/?l=4478702815688441160

3. DANCING TO LIVE DRUM BEATS AT MEHANDI (HENNA) CELEBRATION

https://www.facebook.com/LADYJANE62/videos/10153252114701545/?l=2610473460996498368

4.  TRADITIONAL PUNJABI DANCE…NOTICE THE USE OF THE BRAIDED HAIR EXTENSIONS DURING THE DANCE

https://www.facebook.com/LADYJANE62/videos/10153250689691545/?l=2837730209960891909

With much love light and joy to all

Jane

FINDING THE QUIET PLACE OCT 9-14 2015 #9

FINDING THE QUIET PLACE OCT 9-14 2015 #9

EVERYONE has a smartphone/camera

I’ve been here a little over two weeks now, and as always, it has taken me this amount of time to find my balance. The past two weeks have been filled with great joys, but also some doubts about myself and my capabilities again…and falling back into that place is always a wake up call for me. Falling back into patterns of self-sabotaging behavior is something we all do, but I am blessed to be able to recognize it for what it is and nip it in the bud.

DIVINE LIGHT

I have put everything into perspective, including the complete non-desire to write, and realized, as always, that this is the amount of time I always need to adjust to change, of any kind. Even good change in a place I am completely familiar with.
And now that I have understood once again, that I am as good as, or even better than I have been on past sojourns here…life begins to settle in and I find myself completely at peace with myself.

RAM JHULA EVENING

However, I am still having some difficulty finding the QUIET PLACE this time, mainly due to all that is so disturbingly happening at home. I am finding ways to deal with that as well.
I have been blessed to have met a lovely new friend, (more to come), and to have already begun working. I am enjoying cooking for myself when I feel like it, but mainly enjoying the pleasures of having someone else prepare food for me, even if it is just steamed veggies or fabulous fruit salads.

RAM JHULA GHAT ON A QUIET EVENING

And of course, I am doing Reiki, meditation, pranayama and yoga EVERY day.
I will be posting further photos and stories as the days go by. Yesterday and today and am privileged to be an invited guest at the Mehandi (henna) and then marriage celebrations of the son of good friends, and will be writing about this as well.
Namaste
Jane

BLESSED SHIFT IN WEATHER FOLLOWING THE STORM OCT 15-16

BLESSED SHIFT IN WEATHER FOLLOWING THE STORM OCT 15-16 #11

STORM ROLLING IN OVER THE MOUNTAIN

WiFi back up and running….explanation below…hopefully will catch up on things here now with lots of great photos and videos from the fabulous wedding celebrations during the week…
We had a couple of evenings of serious thunder storms, rain much heavier than expected this time of the year, but the final result is a blessed drop in daytime temperatures, as well as really cool evenings and mornings, needing even a little shift in clothing. It is perfect walking weather, and I am now able to sit outdoors on the roof almost all day long, do my meditation outside in the morning, and if no one is around to see me, even my yoga.
I can now begin all the walks I so love to take here…but , thank God….I have lots and lots of work this past week and all through next week. So I’ve taken one day off, and on Monday will take my new friend out for her first real walk in Rishikesh and I’m sure we will have a lovely day together.

MIST IN THE MORNING FOLLOWING THE STORM

I’ve been without internet for two full days so far, which in many ways is a great blessing, but because I have so many lovely photos and videos to upload so that I can share them with you, it is also quite frustrating. But is also the perfect lesson in acceptance and gratitude for ALL that we experience. It truly is all GOOD.
This all another result of the storm…seems to have damaged the main optic cable and although they claim to be working on it, it is still not working.
So, I will enjoy the quiet time, enjoy my work, and all the lovely food I am eating…do writing as it suits me, and eventually this will all find its way to you.
For now, another lovely day winds itself down. Waiting for my friend to come up and I will be helping begin doing yoga for the first time (she is 75 years old), with the very gentle program I was given years ago here in Rishikesh and which serves to to this day.
Life is good, full and blessed. I am most grateful
With love light and JOY
Jane

A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING – OCT 9 2015

THERE’S A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
Including stomach problems in India!!

SUNRISE, MOON AND MORNING STAR

In the 15 years I’ve been coming to India, despite having an extremely sensitive stomach (or perhaps THANKS to it because it makes me super cautious), I have never once experienced any sort of stomach discomfort….UNTIL TODAY! Actually, it didn’t surprise me…two days ago, I went down to eat at one of my very favorite restaurant for truly fresh food and delicious dishes…The Ganga View Restaurant. When I arrived, I didn’t see one familiar face, and something looked different…the bakery display was empty, as was the restaurant. THIS should have been enough for me…as this was a place where sometimes I might have to wait for a place to sit!!! But I went down to my comfy place, saw the menu (completely different), and already realized that it had changed hands. I was very specifically “told” to get up and leave, but I was tired, hot and very hungry and decided to stay figuring “how bad could it be?”
That same evening my stomach was slightly upset, and yesterday I didn’t feel up to doing anything at all, and this morning, woke up with “delhi belly” and a general weak feeling. Immediately went down to Dr. Arora, my ayurvedic doctor. I was planning to go to him today anyway for a general consultation….but obviously that wasn’t going to happen. He checked my pulse and immediately said “what have you eaten the last couple of days that wasn’t good for you?” Gave me some pills, which I am to take for three days, and keep eating my regular, good for me meals of porridge, steamed veggies, fruit salad and kitcheri in the evening, and all will be well.
Not a very interesting post but waking up to the blessed view above was definitely compensation!
I am always blessed by God and the Universe
Much love light and JOY
Jane

LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
….and this is something which challenges me each and every time anew during my time in India.

with full Acceptance, Joy, Gratitude and FREEDOM FROM FEAR!

Less than two weeks have gone by and I’ve already received my first insights and wonderful, blessed understandings of what I am truly capable of, with complete Freedom for Fear in all new aspects of my life.
This has been an interesting almost two weeks…the time it usually takes me to acclimate to my home here in Rishikesh, to settle down energy wise, to regain my balance and of course recuperate from flying, long taxi ride, unpacking, shopping etc., etc., etc. And this time the weather was unseasonably hot, much too hot for my comfort, and no AC anywhere. It was not an easy few first days, but ever since has gotten easier by the day, and brought me wonderful new lessons about myself and what I am capable of.

TAPOVAN LIT UP AT NIGHT…MY FIRST TIME TO VIEW THIS ALONE

What has actually happened over the past few days, is the dispelling of age old myths about myself and my abilities, and exposing them for what they are: completely untrue (I am sickly, weak, lack energy, bad joints, poor feet which need special shoes, easily fatigued, weakened by the heat, etc ). In addition, I’ve finally gotten past a life long fear of the dark, especially being alone in the dark, which had been made even worse the past five years due to cataracts. The fear was so powerful, so overwhelming, that it was visceral – felt in my entire body, and simply paralyzed me. For years now, it has been difficult for me to see at night, and here in India, where there are no street lights in most places, making the dark total, I have not ventured out of my home area after around 4 in the afternoon, ever, being afraid of being caught out once the dark set in. It was extremely confining, and definitely frustrating and annoying.

MY SHADOW ON THE DARK MOUNTAIN ROAD

I’ve come back to India after two successful cataract surgeries…I see better than I have my entire life (been wearing eyeglasses since the age of ten-which I no longer need), and decided, among other things, to check out the night fear.
So, over the past few days just about all of the above has been tested, and passed with flying colors. I am nothing like what I’ve been led to believe my whole life….I can do ANYTHING…anything I want to do, anything I choose to do, anything I need to do, even if it is difficult or demanding…and do it well and with nothing worse than a headache or tiredness at the end.
I went walking in the heat of the day, much further than I ever allowed myself in the past, wearing nothing but flip-flops (no special, expensive shoes or sandals for bad feet, knees, hips, back), did all this despite a headachy feeling in the morning (which would normally keep me home, resting the whole day), and had a marvelous day out. My headache actually went away DURING all this…
And then yesterday, decided to go out after 4, and just enjoy! Which I did. No fear, no problem with the dark, (flashlight on my phone was all I needed for the dark mountain roads) and a glorious feeling of being FREE AT LAST to do what I want, when I want!!

DARK ROAD LIT UP BY PASSING TRAFFIC

Now this all might simple boring and no big deal to most of you reading this, but believe me, these are things which I have given myself several huge medals for for outstanding achievement! I haven’t felt this pleased and proud of myself in a very long time, and look forward to whatever the rest of this journey holds in store for me!

with full Acceptance, Joy, Gratitude and FREEDOM FROM FEAR!

…and just for fun…this is a shot of the very limited view from my room, through the other guesthouses which block it, of the Ganga at night

with love light and JOY

Namaste

Jane

SOUL FOOD-OCT 7 2015

SOUL FOOD-OCT 7, 2015

BEING IN THE MOMENT

Sitting here at Swiss garden for breakfast…

…decided to treat myself to my favorite, aloo parantha and masala chai…rather than the standard, healthy, good for me, porridge. This is breakfast to feed my soul as well and that is no less important to my good health. And to my great surprise, and joy, it is actually chilly! What a pleasant and welcome surprise….hints of the cold to come in a few months, but delightful right now! And a further added blessing, the Wi-Fi here is not working so I am able to completely relax….

I am gently reminded of the pleasures of days past before all this was available. Just relaxing, being with all that is surrounding me, doing my needlepoint, reading….this is a powerful reminder of how much we miss out on when we become slaves of this new technology…..On the other hand, technology is a great blessing…as I sit here in Rishikesh, writing on my computer, I am able to listen to a radio station from Israel, just as if I was sitting in my living room at home….the best of both worlds!

EVENING WALK AND LIGHT SNACK IN LAXMAN JHULA

It’s been an interesting day in general, and will write more about “getting out of my comfort zone” in the next post…the rest of the photos in this post were made possible BECAUSE I was able to get out of that place controlled by fears…and in addition to these lovely things…

PICTURE PERFECT…SUNSET IN LAXMAN JHULA

JUST DID MY FIRST CARD READING….BEAUTIFUL!
Just being back in “service” again always does wonders for me…being in my purpose…and these readings, which basically bring deep insights to the person sitting opposite me, are extremely gratifying to say the least.

GANGA AT SUNSET

It has been a blessed day!
I am deeply grateful

With love light and JOY
Jane

GANGA VIEWS AND DEVOTIONS OCT 5 2015 -#5

GANGA VIEWS AND DEVOTIONS
TRIVENI GHAT – RISHIKESH

GANGA DEVOTIONS

Had a lovely day in Rishikesh Market yesterday, shopping for shoes for the upcoming weddings I am invited to, a lovely visit with a good friend and her first grandson, and of course a lovely lunch as well.

Will post some photos with market scenes in the next post, but here are a few scenes from Triveni Ghat, just off Rishikesh Market’s main roads.  A place of serene quiet, powerful spiritual energies, and just a beautiful place to sit.

with love light and JOY

Namaste

Jane

END OF ONE WEEK OCT 4 2015 #5

October 4 2015 PHOTO POST END OF ONE WEEK

SARIS DRYING IN THE SUN

A full week has gone by since my arrival and it has been nothing like what I expected, and everything I expected and more. After being away for two full years, the impact of finally getting back and realizing how much my soul needs to be in this place, has left me moved to tears of joy more than once over the past days.
In addition, the welcome I’ve received everywhere I went has been nothing short of astounding. But the final surprise gesture which was totally unsuspected, came at one of my favorite restaurants, 60’s Beatles Café, yesterday. I love this place for the ambience, the wonderful music always playing softly in the background, the truly delicious and special food served (see a couple of sample pages from the extensive menu)

VEGAN CHOICES

SPECIAL SMOOTHIES

and of course a view to die for (especially at sunset).

PRACTICING MY SELFIE SKILLS

While there, relaxing on one of the lovely sofas, drinking a smoothie and recovering from the heat and long walk-enjoying a fabulous breeze coming off the Ganga….one of the owners handed this to me with a big mile and greeting. I was totally surprised, truly moved to tears-which in turn totally surprised the owner!

Later on in the evening, watching a lovely sunset which is only possible when we are blessed with clouds, I went back to coloring mandalas as a relaxing, sort of meditative practice I began awhile ago at home, with a new collection and coloring pencils which I bought here

I’ll hopefully be writing more about the week-which has been filled with ups and downs, some doubts, but great joy and contentment as well-and I’m extremely grateful for these blessing-but at the moment, have no great urge to write – so will let my photos speak for me for the time being.

GANGA RAFTING

CROWDS ON LAXMAN JHULA BRIDGE

TOURIST TAKING FAMILY PHOTOS

SNACK ON THE GO

GANGA BATHING

WEEKEND TOURISTS

VIEW FROM MY TERRACE

Namaste
Much love light and JOY
Jane